NYC Councilmember Rafael Espinal, who represents Brooklyn's 37th district, announced today he will exit the race for Brooklyn Borough President in the upcoming 2021 election.
Eric L. Adams, Brooklyn's current borough president, has reached his term limit and already has started his campaign for New York City Mayor.
Espinal, who originally announced his plan to run in September 2019, was one of four candidates running to fill the seat for Brooklyn Borough Presidency: City Councilmembers Robert Cornegy and Antonio Reynoso, and activist Bishop Lamor Miller Whitehead also filed their intention to run with the city's Campaign Finance Board.
This morning, Espinal, issued the following statement:
"Being elected to lead and serve our city's greatest borough has always been a dream of mine.
"My work in securing historic investments to address the decades of social and economic neglect of my hometown Cypress Hills, the Holocaust Survivors initiative I created to support the 30k survivors living in poverty, passing legislation that will have generational impacts on our nightlife economy and the fight against climate change is representative of my deep love for Brooklyn and desire to see it continue being the best place on earth."
"Right now is just not the time for me," said Espinal
He added, "As a born and raised Brooklyn boy, I believe there is no greater honor than to serve as the Brooklyn Borough President, but after months of consideration I have decided not to continue my campaign.
"I want to be clear. Given my record and ability to work with all Brooklynites, I truly believe that I could have put together a strong and winning campaign. Right now is just not the time for me.
"I want to thank all of my supporters, who without hesitation put their faith and support towards my candidacy. It means the world to me. I will have more details to follow in the days to come."
